Wilderness

Wilderness, in its broadest definition, is a natural environment that has been mostly undisturbed by modern human activity.It is land in its natural state, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain. In Wilderness, we get to see nature as it was before modern civilization arrived, and perhaps how it will be after we are gone.

Wilderness is the last refuge for rare, threatened and endangered species that would otherwise go extinct. Wilderness contains the headwaters of our great rivers.Wilderness filters the air that we breath.Wilderness inspires the soul.In Wilderness, those with an appetite for adventure can find a sense of self-reliance and experience solitude.Wilderness can give us glimpses of the stars and the Universe.It allows us to reconnect with nature and escape the hectic rush of the modern world.On a more practical level, Wilderness provides a natural environment for plant and animal species and allows scientists to study healthy ecosystems.How does nature adapt to climate change? What solutions do animals and plants find in their natural environment? Wilderness is an important place for researchers. Survivable concepts for agriculture and forestry as well as flood and climate protection can be developed with this knowledge.

“If future generations are to remember us with gratitude rather than contempt, we must leave them a glimpse of the world as it was in the beginning, not just after we got through with it.”
President Lyndon B. Johnson upon his signing of the Wilderness Act, September 3rd, 1964

Less than 4% of America remains wilderness, and roughly half of that is in Alaska.The Teton Wilderness is a significant part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, which is the largest nearly intact ecosystem in the lower 48 states.At Exum, we celebrate the Teton Wilderness every time we head into the mountains.

However, there’s no place on Earth that is entirely free of human impact, and we encourage you to not dismiss areas whose wilderness is less than absolute.We can all work together to protect what Wilderness we have left.

What you can do (slideshow below):

The number one thing you can do to help protect our Wilderness is to cherish the moment. Click on the right side of the picture for more images.

Please don't feed the wildlife. On first impression it may seem cute when wildlife approaches us for a handout, but feeding wildlife may reduce the animal's ability to forage for it's natural foods, condemning the animal to a slow death by starvation when we humans leave in the autumn.

Bears and other predators live in the Teton Wilderness. It's their home, not ours. To coexist, please give them a wide berth. We recommend carrying bear spray on the trails. David Bowers photo.

If you pick the flowers, then the next person won't be able to enjoy them. In Grand Teton National Park, it's illegal to pick wildflowers.

Please pick up your trash, and pick up trash that others less considerate than you have left.

Walk on existing trails.

Be extra sensitive at popular destinations like Hidden Falls.

Practice minimum impact camping. Leave no trace.

Enjoy the silence.

Air pollution and climate change are impacting our wilderness areas. What can you do at home?

This is your legacy. What do you want to leave for future generations?